Switching device

Abstract

A switching device has a housing-mounted contact and a movable contact. The movable contact is provided for making contact with the housing-mounted contact. The switching device has a switch lock with a latch and a latch support, wherein the latch support has a latching location for latching the latch to the latch support, wherein the switching device furthermore has a hand switching lever. A connecting rod is mounted movably on the latch support, the connecting rod bearing against a projection of the hand switching lever when the hand switching lever is arranged in the position in which the contacts are in contact. An actuation of the hand switching lever—for separating the movable contact from the housing-mounted contact—moves the connecting rod and thereby releases the latching of the latching support to the latch.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A switching device, comprising:
 a movable contact, positioned on a contact arm, movably attached to the switching device, the movable contact being configured to contact a housing-mounted contact and configured to establish a conductive current path through the switching device; 
 a switch lock, connected with the contact arm, the switch lock including a latch and a latch support, the latch support including a latching location configured to latch the latch to the latch support; 
 a hand switching lever, configured to contact the movable contact with the housing-mounted contact, the hand switching lever being connected with the contact arm; 
 a connecting rod, mounted movably on the latch support, the connecting rod bearing against a projection of the hand switching lever when the hand switching lever is in a position in which the movable contact and the housing-mounted contact are in contact, 
 wherein an actuation of the hand switching lever, for separating the movable contact from the housing-mounted contact, moves the connecting rod and, thus, releases a latching of the latch support to the latch. 
 
     
     
       2. The switching device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first brace, mounted on the projection of the hand switching lever. 
 
     
     
       3. The switching device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting rod includes a concave engagement area configured to engage at the projection of the hand switching level. 
     
     
       4. The switching device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting rod is mounted on the latch support and can be rotated in this position. 
     
     
       5. The switching device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connecting rod spring, mounted on the latch support, the connecting rod spring impinging upon the connecting rod in a direction toward the switching lever. 
 
     
     
       6. The switching device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing including a housing projection in an area of the latch support, 
 wherein the connecting rod includes a striking pad configured to prop up the latch support on the housing projection. 
 
     
     
       7. The switching device of  claim 6 , wherein the housing projection borders a trigger housing opening configured to connect the switch lock with an external trigger. 
     
     
       8. The switching device of  claim 2 , wherein the switching lever is connected to the contact arm via the first brace and a bracket affixed to the first brace, and
 wherein the first brace is guided via a guiding slot of the latch. 
 
     
     
       9. The switching device of  claim 1 , configured as a safety switching device including the housing-mounted contact and the movable contact. 
     
     
       10. The switching device of  claim 6 , wherein the striking pad is disposed in a placement area of the connecting rod on the latch support. 
     
     
       11. The switching device of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is pivotably mounted. 
     
     
       12. The switching device of  claim 8 , wherein the latch is pivotably mounted.